Margaret Kunz

1935 - 2023

Margaret Kunz
April 16, 1935 - June 16, 2023
Orlando, Florida - Margaret McCarthy Kunz was born in Penns Neck, NJ, on April 16, 1935, the younger of two daughters of Thomas and Virginia (Varley) McCarthy. She passed away peacefully at home in Orlando, FL, on June 16, 2023.
After spending several years in Indianapolis, IN, Margaret and her family moved to Miami, FL, in 1946 because of her sister's ill health. She attended the University of Miami as an undergraduate and earned her Masters of Social Work at Tulane. She was married to her husband, Lyle B. "Jack" Kunz, a psychiatrist and medical school professor, for 57 years until his death in 2021. After their marriage Margaret became a stay-at-home mother to their three children. She was very involved in supporting her children's activities, and she volunteered in the community as president of the Villagers, a group dedicated to historic preservation in Miami. Once Dr. Kunz retired, they moved to Orlando about 10 years ago to be closer to their daughters.
Margaret and her husband loved music and loved to travel. They spent many happy summers in Aspen, CO, attending concerts at the Aspen Music Festival and lectures at the Aspen Institute. In addition to many international cruises with Jack, Margaret especially enjoyed a 2-week trip just last summer to Ireland with two of her children, her son-in-law, and three grandchildren. She was very proud of her Irish heritage!
Margaret was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her dear sister Angela McCarthy Backus, and nephew Frederick Backus. She is survived by her children, Carolyn (John) Alvarez, Elizabeth Kunz, Paul (Maria) Kunz; grandchildren, Angela, Drew, and Katie Alvarez, and Emma, Maddy, and Will Kunz; nieces, Dr. Anita (Michael) Chang, Missy (Billy) Lewis, and Melanie Meeks; and several cousins.